Police: US diplomat shot in foot outside Rio de Janeiro

SAO PAULO – An American diplomat was shot in the foot during an attempted robbery while travelling outside of Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian police said Friday.

Stephanie Bohlen, a vice consul, and a man identified as her partner were attacked while driving Thursday night on a coastal road in Angra dos Reis, federal highway police said. The man was not hit.

Bohlen was brought to a nearby hospital and then transferred to a hospital in Rio for surgery, according to civil police.

The U.S. Consulate in Rio confirmed in a statement that a consulate official had sustained injuries that were not life-threatening “in an incident involving gunfire.” It provided no details.

Earlier this year, a British tourist was shot and wounded in Angra dos Reis, when she strayed into a rough neighbourhood. The popular vacation destination is about 90 miles (150 kilometres) from Rio.